If you’ve ever been to Spain, you’ll know just how important food is to the county’s rich and varied culture. Over the centuries, Spanish cuisine has developed into a wide range of delicious dishes based on fresh and colorful ingredients from all corners of the country.

To help bring a little Spanish excitement into your kitchen, here are few Spanish foods you can try at home

Croquetas are snack foods that kids love. Meat is pound, seasoned and then breaded and fried and served up with a sauce of your choice. To prepare croquetas, boil the potatoes and add the butter, salt, pepper, milk and egg. For a variety of taste, add parsley and coriander to the mixture. Make them into balls and deep fry after coating with bread crumbs. Croquetas can be filled with cheese for added flavor.

If you are on a diet then an easy way to eat well, lose weight and take in less calories from fat is to cook foods that normally require fat/oil with a little water. It may sound strange but it is extremely healthy cooking this way and there is no smell of burning oil that fills the house.

Flan is the Spanish name for vanilla egg custard topped with caramel sauce. It is a classic in Spanish cuisine and one of the most popular desserts. You can find it served everywhere in Spain and it’s not as difficult to make at home as you may think. Beat the eggs with milk and sugar. Heat two cups of water and add sugar in it. Boil until the sugar is completely melted and caramelized to a rich medium-brown color. Carefully spoon caramelized sugar into small cups and pour the egg mixture into it. Place the cups into a baking tray filled with water. Bake uncovered in the water bath for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean when inserted halfway between the center and the edge of the dish. To ensure the custard does not over-cook, check for doneness after 45 minutes, then every 3 to 5 minutes.